Allotments 4 All

It's amazing that you can find these gems in a street market. I did not know what it was neither did the trader, but I got it for a couple of quid. After a couple of hours research it turns out to be a type of witch hazel  Loropetalum chinensis Firedance. Looks like it will grow in my garden as it likes a clay soil and will easily root from cutting or layering. Well thats next years presents taken care of.

Purple evergreen leaves and bright flowers through the winter, the photo above was pinched from the internet as the flowers on mine are like red flames.

Looks beautiful, nice find  ;D

Ace, what a good find, that looks lovely, like the l;eaves.

Stunning what a beauty lucky you.

That's unusual leaves and flowers at the same time, very nice. :)

beautiful, aren't they ACE?
my mum and I bought one each from her local Notcutts a couple of years ago. they were in the bargain plants bit, tucked away at the back looking really sorry for themselves â€" I think we paid 4 or 5 pounds each for them.
didn't know that it was easy to propagate though ;D

I have two Loropetalum chinensis 'Ming Dynasty', also bought from a market stall:

Evergreen flowering shrub with small dark green leaves, copper-red when young, in a loose, spreading habit. The slightly scented, spider-like purplish-red flowers bloom prolifically from late winter into spring, continuing sporadically throughout the summer. Likes a moist but well-drained, humus-rich, gritty, acidic soil, but is very adaptable and is drought tolerant once established. Benefits from fertilizing 2-3 times a year.